R.I.P. Jay Reatard

Sad news. Memphis garage rocker and one of underground music's most engaging personalities Jay Reatard passed away in his sleep last night, according to a post on the website for Goner Records. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that he was found early this morning in his Tennessee home, following a troubling 2009 that saw him lose his band members and get attacked by two fans in Austin, Tex. Jay was 29 years old.

Reatard's label, Matador Records, issued the following statement: "We are devastated by the death of Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., aka Jay Reatard. Jay was as full of life as anyone we’ve ever met, and responsible for so many memorable moments as a person and artist. We’re honored to have known and worked with him, and we will miss him terribly."

Details are scarce at this point, but it's a tragic fate for the talented artist behind albums like 2006's Blood Visions and last year's Watch Me Fall. R.I.P., Jay. [Goner Records]